Fuel-supply system



Nov. 27, 1928. 1,693,114

J. A. HEANY l FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM Filed Sept. 27, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7o 7a 73 9075 Z .57 22 g J9 cw 84 |l. j

@I 5 55 u 2.6 25 5U 14 /as [5&5 5.9 :n a J7 H 26 l f f j l i Z0 y 64 Z] 6 l I l 66 a3 J4 f l: 6L 5 /f I Y '*l' 5 l l{ 3l I 1 1 23! 60 1 I 16' i Y /j Wu f 30 i 421m, 38 ./92 46 35 L @T45 .j f 5zz f. al du zo 7@ 79 q is?! 7 77 m'i I 12 s III 70 INVENTOR f fl- ATTORNEY Nov. 27, 192s.

Filed Sept. 27,71923 J. A. HEANY FUEL SUPPLY SYS TEM 2 'sheets-.Sheet 2 INVENTOR meme l ATTORNEY YPatented Nov. 27, 1928.

Y UNITED STATES JOHN ALLEN BEA OF NEW H A'EN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB T0 HEAN'Y LABORA- TORIES, INC., OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

FUEL-SUPPLY SYSTEM.

Application led September 27, 1923. Serial No. 665,109.

This invention relates to auxiliary fuel supply,tanks for internal combustion engines. In present engineering practice relating to internal combustion engines, it is customary to employ a main supply tank for fuel`- oil which is positioned below the carburetor or intake of the engine and also an auxiliary supply tank above the main tank and carburetor from which fuel feeds by gravity to the carburetor. Associated with this auxiliary tank is a pump for lifting the fuel from the main tank. Hereto'fore, it has been found generally expedient to employ suction derived from the engine intake as a pump operating means for the auxiliary tank but in the use of vacuum pumps as indicated several vimportant and serious deficiencies have become apparent. It has been found, for example, that when the engine is operating under heavy load with a'wide open throttle, the vacuum pressure is so low that wholly insufficient fuel for the needs of the engine is available and at a time when maximum fuel supply should be had. Moreover, should for any reason the fuelbe drained from the auxiliary tank to tart the engine, it is necessary to operate t 1e starting motor,

, order, first, to draw liquid fuel from the main tank to the auxiliary tank and subsequently o to rotate the crank shaft for the normal starting operation. This double labor for the starting motor places a large drain on the batteries which in view of their diminished capacity is often highly detrimental to eii-l cient engine operation.

In lieu of drawing the fuel into the auxiliary tank by the motor, the tank may be primed by hand but this entails inconvenience and delay and subjects the pumping mechanism of the tank to maladjustment.

It is therefore one of the important objects of this invention t9 provide means whereby the auxiliary tank may be kept in ample supply of fuel independent of the operation of the engine or the degree of vacuum in the intake. It is further an object to supply pumping means for the auxiliary tank of an internal combustion engine which is not made inoperative by the complete drainage of liquid from said tank. It is further an object e also to provide pumping mechanism which maintains a supply in the auxiliary tank dependent only on the supply of liquid to the main tank.

Another important object contemplated is if such be attached, in'

the provision of means whereby should the main tank become emptied of fuel, an audible' slgnal `is made prior to the emptying of the auxiliary tank so that where used in an automobile, the driver may reach a fuel station before complete exhaustion of the supply.

Further objects relate to a general simplification of the pumping mechanism; to various structural details; and methods of manufacture all of which will become apparent on consideration of an embodiment of the invention which may be preferred, hereinbelow described and illustrated in the accompanyc ing drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation in section showing the various operative elements;

.Figure 2 is a detail of the conta-ct mechansm;

Figure 3 is a transverse section of the tank -on lines 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a section of 4-1 of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is another pump section on lines 5-5 of Figure 1.

In brief, the invention broadly consists in applying an improved type of solenoid pump directly to the auxiliary fuel tank with certain conduits and connections which permit constant automatic operation of the pump, irrespective of engine operation.

There is provided a fuel tank 10 of sheet metal to the base of which is permanently attached by suitable means the base or bottom plate 11, carrying outlet pipe 12 which leads to the carburetor (not shown) The plate 11 is'somewhat dished. and at its lowest pointA below the outlet opening is apertured to receive a plug 13, whereby settlings in the tank 75 the pump on lines `may be removed. The top plate 14 is preferably in the form of a casting integrally associated with the solenoid casing 15 and pump cylinder 16 so that the whole may be handled as a unit, thus facilitating assembly and repair. Moreover, the inlet port 17 in connection with the main supply tank is integral with the cap 14 so that with the exception of the outlet connection, all mechanism and connections depend from the top plate.

The pumping mechanism is embodied in a solenoid pump placed centrally in the tank, there being a solenoid casing 15 extending above and below the cap 14 and a pump cylinder 16 extending in continuation .but with a diminished diameter from the solenoid casing 15. The 'solenoid 18 consists of ap- 110 aov . insulation cylinder 19 which encloses the same. An insulation washer covers the lower end of the bearing 23 and separates the same from contact with the upper end of the solenoid core 26 so that magnetic stieking of the same to the bearing is prevented.

The core 26 is attached at its upper end by any suitable meansto the core rod 24 and at its `lower end is secured to the connecting rod 27, whereby connection is made between the core 26 and the pump piston 28. The piston 28 isformed of a head 29 and a skirt 30extending as a cylinder for an appreciable distance within the pump cylindr 16. Adjacent the upper end of the skirt, connection by means of pin 31 is madeto the connecting rod 27, the pin `having enlarged collars 32 external to the connecting rod to prevent lateral relative displacement of the rod.

The piston head 29 includes the cap nut 33 and the valve seat 34. The valve seat34 (see Fig. 4) is closely tted within the open end of the piston and carries aplate having a large central aperture 35 surrounded by a series of small holes 36. The central aperture 35 is formed by a rimmed edge extending below the normal plate surface sol that when the valve plate 37 is in contact therewith, free passage of liquid is possible about the valve plate edge through the holes 36, thus tending to prevent sticking of the` valve. The valve plate 37 normally rests onthe raised rim 38 of a port 39 formed in the cap nut 33 which is screw-threaded to theI inner surface of the valve seat 34.

The cooperating valve adapted to limit and define the pump chamber 92 is positioned in a depending valve support member 40 screwthreaded to the base of the pump cylinder 16, a gasket 41 forming the seal therebetween. The member 40 is centrally apertured and is formed at the top with a recess l42, the base of which is channelled at the periphery to form a lower valve seat 43 at the rim of the port. Normally resting in this valve seat is a Valve plate 44, and a stop nut 45 having a central opening 46 is screw-threaded into the recess 42. Depending separated lugs 47, positioned circumferentially around the opening 46 beneath the nut`45, serve as stop means for the valve plate 44 without in any way restraining passage of liquid thereby.

The base of the valve support member 40 is exteriorly threaded and interiorly flared to receive the cooperating pipe unlon members 50 and 51, said members being positioned i on the inlet pipe 52, in accordance with common usage, the coupler 51 forcing the coneshaped member into close engagement with the flared inner surface of the member 40.

A similar union, including elements 53 and 54, is applied lto the upper end of the pipe 52 connecting the same to a conduit 55 I in the cap casting 14. The conduit 55 connects with the enlarged inlet 17, the upper end of which is stopped by a screw-threaded -sheet meta-l box surrounding the pump cylinder 16. At one side of theV top plate of the float is fixed a lever stop member 61, formed of a U-shapcd metal strip, the free ends extending upwardly and having pin connecc tions 62 and 63 adapted to limit travel of the strip lever 64. The lever 64 is pivoted in one of a series of spaced apertures 65 about the cylinder 16 adjacent the top of the float. This lever is L-shaped, lthe one end terminating intermediate the sides of the' stop 61 and the other end 66 terminating adjacent'the core-26.0f the solenoid.

A notch 67 in the lever arm 66 is adapted to engage the lower edge of the core 26 under certain conditions of operation, as will be hereinafter set forth. There is provided also an expansion spring 68. bearing at one end against the lever arm 64 and at the other end against the `cylinder 16, the coiled part of the spring being around the pivot 69 so as to urge the horizontal arm of the lever downwardly. From the above description, it is obvious that the float has a limited axial movement on the cylinder 16 determined by the pins 62 and 63 of the stop 61; that when the float is at its upper point, the lever arm 66 is tilted inwardly as shown in vFigure 1, preventing the core from movement, and that normally the spring 68 maintains the lever arm 66 clear of the solenoid core.

The electrical operating IIlQlIlS'include in addition to the solenoid 15 with its movable core 26, the contact mechanism 70 illustrated in detail in Figure 2. There is shown a main pivot bar 71, pivotally supported on the angle plate 72 fixed to the tank cap( 22. A relailient clamp 73 bears against one side of the pivot bar-and thereby serves as a friction means for retaining the barn in any set posi.- tion and preventing shifting due to jar. One end of the pivot bar 71 is turned to forman arm 74, the end of which is adapted to en? gage loosely an annular socket member 75 formed as a spool xed to the top end of the core rod l24. The loose connection permits easy adjustment of the coacting parts and plate 78 is attached the electricvconductor 81 from one end of the solenoid which is adapted to be grounded through the lcontacts 77 and and to the other end of the solenoid 18 is attached the lead 82, connecting the ignition switch whereby operation of the pumpis made dependant upon closureof the ignition circuit. The pump circuit 82 is connected to ground in parallel with the ignition circuit 83, both being controlled by the ignition switch 84, as indicated in Fig. 1, there being a source of electrical energy at the battery 85.

In order to prevent access of dust to the .contacts and also any possibility of ignition of explosive gases, a wire gauze 9.0 is employed to cover the contact mechanism, as shown in Fig. 1.

A small atmosphere duct is formed in the tank cap 14 tomaintain proper pressure conditions for gravity feed in the tank.

Operation.

Figure 1 illustrates the mechanism set with the solenoid core stopped by control lever 64,

the notch 67 resting thereunder. In this position the auxiliary tank is full to its vnormal capacity and being slowly drained through the outlet pipe 12, the float 60 simultaneously falling with the liquid level. In this position, the spool 75 is at its upper limit, thus maintaining the contacts 77 and 80 separated.

As soon as the pin 6-3 in the float standards 61 contacts with the lever 64 and moves they notch 67 from under the core, the core with its connecting rods and the piston 16 falls until the contact 77 through movement of the contact rod 71 engages the Contact 80, thereby completing the solenoid circuit and causing an upward movement of the core and pump piston. This upward movement is continued until the movement of contact lever 71 breaks the contact engagement when the piston again falls. y

The pump valve operation is in accordance with well known principlesof hydrodynamics. The upward movement of the piston enlarges the capacity of the pump chamber 92, diminishing the pressure therein and causing the liquid to flow from the main tank through the inlet pipe -52 around the valve plate 44 and depending notches 42 and aperture 46 to the pump chamber 92. On the downward piston movement the liquid is trapped in the pump chamber by-the closure I liquid drains out through holes 65 into the tank proper.

As the liquid rises-in the tank, they float is` gradually elevateduntil the pin 62 contacts with the control lever 64, and, overcoming the action of spring 68, pushes the ledge of notch 67 against the core 26 and seats the same thereunder after an upper movement of the core. In .this core engagement, the core is normally lifted a small distance above the notch point so that the not-ch ledge may readily seat thereunder.

In addition to the matter described, note should be made of several important features of the invention. The specific arrangement of the inlet pipe 52 as shown with the inlet end connecting with the tank cap serves two useful purposes. In the one case, it permits a complete unitary structure of the pump mechanism with the tank cap so that the whole is insertable or removable as a single unit. On the other hand, the inlet opening of pipe 52 and the outlet port 65 both being above the pump valves, insures a definitev and workable amount of priming fluid at all times in the pump whatever the supply of liquid in the main or auxiliary tank may be. There is thus avoided one of the chief objectionable features of the vacuum type of pump.

It is pointed out also that the contact plate 78 being`resilient, permits a vmovement of the core after contact and also a movement of the core before contact, thus increasing the effective power stroke of thepump. This resiliency in plate 78 also obtains for the contacts a wiping movement which maintains them smooth and highl conducting.

Note further 4should e made that spring 68 normally tends to urge control lever arm 66 away from proximity to the reciprocating Y core so that in unblocking the core, only sufficient force on the lever 64 is requisite to overcome the static friction due to the Weight of the core and attached pumping mechanism. A l

The constructiomas above outlined, is such 4thatoperation is dependant only on closure of the ignition switch', the various valves ,land levers then operating automatically dependant only upon the fuel need of the engine. This is a highly important characteristic of the invention and is a marked improvement over such mechanism as is dependant on engi-ne operation, inasmuch as fuel is supplied with equal facility for all degrees and variations of engine conditions and use.

It is further pointed outl that inasmuch as there is no connection to the vacuum line of the engine, there can be no dilution of the gas as received from the carburetor. There is thus avoided the uncertain control and regulation of the gas supply characteristic of vacuum operated pump mechanism.

A feature of the tank is its construction as a single shell or container to which the fuel is pumped directly from the main tank instead of into an inner secondary receptacle as in the vacuum type of auxiliary feed tank. The advantage of the single tank resides in the fact that fuel flows directly to the carburetor as soon as the pump begins operation, Whereas in the double tank devices a preliminary entry of the fluid in the inner tank is requisite before the fuel can feed to the car- ,irrthe same; a core adapted to reciprocate Within the solenoid; a piston connected to the Attention is drawn to the fact that 'While the top 14 of the pump is indicated asa casting, it is expedient in some instances to use a stamping which is assembled with a central cylindrical steel shell for the solenoid and* a sub tending cylinder for the pump.

A final important and highly useful feature f the invention resides in the fact that as soon as the main tank becomes empty of fuel, the pump, relieved of its load, vbegins to operate with a notable increment of noise and chatter, thus calling attention of the operator to the state of the fuel supply. This signal is given While there is yet an abundant supply of fuel in the auxiliary tank, thereby p enabling the operator ordinarily to drive to a supply station before comp'lete exhaustion of the fuel.

While various modifications of the invention will be obvious to those Skilled in the art to Which it pertains7 it should be emphasized that the showing is illustrative rather than definitive, the invention being limited only as by the claimshereto appended.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a fuel supply system, the combination of a main fue-l tank; an auxiliary fuel `'tank positioned abovesaid main tank; pumping mechanism associated with said auxiliary fuel tank to lift the fuel from the main to the auxiliary tank; and means adapted to makeA duit connected to said pump beloWthe same whereby a receptacle for priming liquid is formed.

3. In a fuel supply system, the combination of a fuel supply tank; valve containing pumping mechanism Within the tank; and a liquid receptacle in the pump line below said pump valves and external to the supply tank adapted to receive liquid from above .the pump valves when the pump operation ceases.

4. In a fuel supply system -for internal combustion engines; the combination of amain 4fuel tank; an auxiliary fuel tank positioned 'mechanism vand the main. tank; and a receptacle in said conduit below said mechanism, A,

adapted to maintain excess liquid above the pump valves when the main tank is empty.

5. In a fuel supply system for internal combustion engines; ,thev combination of a main fuel tank ana'uxiliary fuel tank positioned above-said main tank; a solenoid connected-to the top of said auxiliary tank withcore; a valved head secured to' the piston; a

second"valve-forming with said first named valve a suction. pump chamber inlet and outlet; a cylinder enclosing said valves and forming a pump chamber therewith; an inlet pipe connected to one of said valves; and electrical make and b-reak'apparatus operative to cause reciprocation of said piston.

6. In a fuel supply system for internal` core; a valved head secured to the piston; al

second valve forming with said first named valve a suction pumpchamber inlet and out let; a cylinder enclosing said valves and forming a pump chamber therewith;.an inlet pipe connected to one of said valves; electrical make and break apparatus operative to cause reciprocation of said piston; and v control means adapted tofcause intermittent operation of said piston. Y

7 In a fuel supply system for internal combustion engines; the combination of a main fuel tank; an auxiliary fuel tank positioned above said main tank; a solenoid connected to the top of said auxiliary' tank Witliin the same; a core. adapted to reciprocate Within the solenoid; a piston connected to the core; a valved head secured to the piston; a second valve forming with said first named valve a suction pump Lchamber inlet and outlet;'a cylinder enclosing said valves` and forming a pump chamber therewith; make and break apparatus operative. to cause reciprocation of said piston; control means-- adapted to cause intermittent operation of said piston; said control means including a ioat chamber Within said, auxiliary tankand lever means operated by the float to engage andy block movement of the solenoid core when a predetermined amount of fuel has been pumped into the auxiliary tank.

8. In a fuel supply system, the vcombinaltion of a fuel tank; a pump for pumping the support and connected at one end to the core; a contact secured to the lever; a resilient plate fixed to the support adjacent said contact; and a second contact fixedto the resilient plate and adapted to engage yieldingly the first named contact.

10. In a fuel supply system, the combination of a fuel supp-ly tank, and means for pumping fuel into said tank, said means com- -operating said pump; and a U-shaped con-y tinuous and imperforate inlet connection to prising a solenoid core positioned within said solenoid and movable thereby; a contact lever pivotally mounted adjacent the solenoid and adapted to be moved by said core; a fixed contact on the free end of said lever; a flexible plate adjacent the lever; and a second contact fixed to the free end of the flexible plate and adapted to engage the contact on the end of the lever, said plate resilient-ly yielding when said contacts are in engagement whereby a wiping action takes place over the engaging surfaces of the contacts.

11. In a fuel supply system, the combination of a fuel supply tank; a pump mechanism suspended within said tank; means for the pump having an upstanding arm extending above the pump whereby liquid. is rela tively permanently maintained within thel pump and the inlet connection. j

12. In a fuel supply system, the combination of a fuel sup-ply tank; pump mechanism within said tank; mea-ns for energizing said pump mechanism; a float movable within the tank in accordance with the depth o-f liquid therein; a lever arm pivoted on a member fixed to the casing and having free ends, one of which is adapted to engage and arrest movement of the pump, and the other of which is adapted to engage a portion of the oat; means for maintainingsaid lever normally out of-engagement with the pump, said float being adapted to contact with the lever.

and cause engagement of the lever with the pump when the depth of liquid in the tank exceeds a predetermined value. 13. In pumpgmech'anism for liquid containing tanks, means for arresting movementthe-reof under predetermined conditions of liquid 'supply comprising a lever fixed to the pump support, one end of which is adapted to engage and arrest movement of' the pump mechanism a float movable in said tank; a member fixed tosaid float and havingf cross bars connected thereto adapted separately to contact with the other end of said lever, said lever contacting normally with the upper of said cross bars but adapted to Contact with said lower cross bar when the supply of liquid in the tank exceeds a predetermined limited value, whereby the other end of the lever is brought into engagement with the pumping mechanism;

14. In pump mechanism for liquid containing tanks, means for arresting movement thereof under predetermined conditions of liquid supply comprising a lever fixed to the pump support, one end of whichds adapted to engage and arrest movement of the pump mechanism; a float movable in said'tank; a member fixed to said float' and having cross bars connected thereto adapted separately to contact with the other end of said lever, said lever contacting normally with the upper of said cro-ss bars but adapted to contact with said -lower cross bar when the supply of liquid in the tank exceeds a predetermined limited value, whereby the other end of the lever is brought into engagement with the pumping mechanism; and resilient means for normallymaintaining said lever disconnected from the pump mechanism.

15. In a fuel sup-ply system, a fuel supply tank; pumping mechanism including reciprocating plunger apparatus positioned within said tank; electrical mechanism for bringing about reciprocations of the pump mechanism, said electrical mechanism including a solenoid; a reciprocatable core movable within said solenoid and operated thereby; a grooved coupler on one end of the. core; a lever pivotally mounted adjacent the. solenoid and having one end engaging freely the grooved coupler; a contact fixed on the other end of thelever; a yieldable platemounted adjacent the lever; and a coactingcontact fixed to the end of said plate and adapted to engage the contact on the lever.

16. In a pump mechanism adapted to be positioned in-a casing, the combination of a U-shaped tubular member; an inlet port in one arm of said member; a pump secured to the other arm of the member; a float slidable on the pump arm; and connect-ions between the float and pump, said float being effective In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

i JOI-IN ALLEN` HEANY. 

